Some clarity is emerging about the future of West Ham United midfielder Mateus Fernandes as Manchester City captain Bernardo Silva finds a new home under the wing of Jose Mourinho at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Earlier this week, it was reported that Atletico Madrid had ‘abandoned’ their pursuit of the Portugal international.
Now, city rivals Real appear to have cooled their own interest.
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West Ham United were hoping for a continent-wide bidding war for a midfielder they value in the region of £80 million. But with Atletico out of the frame and Real Madrid set to sign another Portuguese playmaker in Bernardo Silva, Mateus Fernandes maybe doesn’t quite have as many suitors as it was initially hoped.
Real Madrid cool interest in West Ham United’s Mateus Fernandes
Fabrizio Romano clarifies the situation on his YouTube channel.
While ruling out a deal for Man City teammate Rodri, Bernardo Silva’s impending switch to the Spanish capital means that Los Blancos will now only pursue Mateus Fernandes if the likes of Aurelien Tchouameni or Eduardo Camavinga are sold.
“One more signing for Real Madrid; it’s going to be Bernardo Silva,” Romano begins. “What kind of consequences will this deal have on the market?
“First thing to say, Rodri was a target announced by the other candidate to become Real Madrid president [Enrique Riquelme, who lost the vote on Sunday].
“But for [current president] Florentino Perez, Rodri was not a topic. And now signing Bernardo Silva means that Rodri to Real Madrid, at least for this summer, is over.
“And then another player appreciated by Real Madrid; Mateus Fernandes from West Ham.
“Now obviously, with Real Madrid signing Bernardo Silva, we have to see if they will still try to go for Mateus Fernandes in case they sell a midfielder, for example. That could be a possibility.”
PSG linked with both Fernandes and Crysencio Summerville
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Tchouameni has been linked with Manchester United. However, the Red Devils are again prioritising ‘Premier League-proven’ talent following the successes of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo.
It appears that Fernandes, despite suffering relegation in both of his top-flight campaigns with Southampton and West Ham, is right at the top of Michael Carrick’s wishlist after United walked away from Nottingham Forest’s £130 million man Elliot Anderson.
At this stage, West Ham’s best hope of kicking off a bidding war may rest on the shoulders of the European champions.
French publication Foot Mercato reported on Thursday evening that Paris Saint-Germain hope to sign Fernandes and Crysencio Summerville in an eye-watering double-deal which could reach £112 million.
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